The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-12-29
CONGRESS.
In Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
TUESDAY. DEC. 20.

Military Affairs, submitted a report on the Dill
authorizing the Secretary Of the Treasury to
nav the State Of Missouri certain claims for
payments made by officers and men of her MI
iitia for services rendered in suppressing the
rebellion.
Senator Teller, from the Committee on Pub
lie Lands, reported back the bill to quiet title
OF settlers on the Des Moines River lands in
Iowa. Senator Morgan, as a member of the
same committee, dissented from the bill, stating
that he regared II as an effort on the part OF
Congress 10 usurp the judicial power OF the
United States and reverse DEGREES Of the courts.
Senator Davis. from the Committee on Pen
si0ns, reported on the bill granting pension
70 Mrs John A. Logan, with the amendment
correcting the spelling of her name, and asked
for immediate consideration. Senator Berry
objected, and the bin went on the calendar.
Senator Davis presented q bill to increase
the pension of Mrs. Frank P. Blair and asked
for immediate consideration. Senator German
objected and the bill vas placed on the cal
endar.
Senator Davis presented a bill for the relief
Of Juliet C. Palmer, widow Of James G. Palmer,
late Surgeon General, u. ). Navy.
Senator Hampton. from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported adversely on the bill
to construct a canal and railroad for military
purposes through the peninsula Of Florida.
The Senate took up the House resolution 70
the effect tla4 when the Houses adjourned that
1t would be until Wednesday, Jaa. 4. Senator
Plumb objected, and the resolution was placed
on the calendar.
Senator Henderson reported g resolution that
there be printed ia pamphlet form 1000 copies
Of the message Of the P71..9e..t and the reports
OF the heads Of Departments, which was agreed
Senator Call asked the Senate to take up the
resolution which he bad submitted the day be-
fore, that the petition and the accompanying
papers Of the citizens of the United States in
the Territory Of Utah, claiming TO represent
the wishes Of and requests TO Congress OF 200,-
600 citizens be printed in the Record.
Senator Edmnnds wanted the resolution re-
ferred to the Committee on Territories
before anything was done with it, as the
committee ought TO see what was contained N
8 long memorial before II was printed, and pos
sibly it would save the Government a very ex-
pensive performance. since it would probably
cost from $500 TO s1.000 70 print the matter in
the whole edition Of the Record.
Senator Call SAID there was nothing in the
memorial Objectionable 10 the Congress of the
United States, and he affirmed that it was not
right for any Senator or Member Of Congress TO
say that its people should rot be heard in Con-
gress; or. in advance to say that what they
wish 10 state is not respectful 10 Congress and
thus deny them their right of petition The
objection WAS made IL the spirit OF persecution
Of the people Of Utah. 1t has been alleged that
they have some peculiar beliefs IN reference TO
the domestic relation which are Objectionable
TO Us. This allegation is claimed by them TO
be true Only so far as relates 10 their religious
belief As q matter Of fact polygamy is prae-
ticeo only by q small portion Of the population
not three per cent. He WAS informed by per
sons Of Intelligence and character who were
non-AOrnOns that this charge is a myth, upon
which the opponents are seeking 10 obtain the
property Of thess people IN Utah. Anyway
they have right 70 be heard, and he was sorry
that the gentleman from Vermont put him 70
this Inconvenience, hut he was not surprised at
IL. for the Senator was not in the habit of
avoiding these things which gave ineonveni-
ence to others, though he gained nothing by
his objections
Senator Paddock opposed the reading of the
memorial and also OF the accompanying papers,
which contained the proceedings of the So
called constitutional convention.
Senator CaIl said that the constitution would
lot be included; that, as he understood the
request. it was a memorial from the citizens
stating their desire in respect 10 the admission
OF Utah, and the facts II reference to the num-
her Of anti-p oiygzmists IN the Territory both
Mormon aad Mormon, and the good faith
q all in accepting the EdmHnds- HOar law
The memorial was then read. IL recited
that fOr the fifth time, the people of Utah
presented 10 Congress constitution providing
Tor Republican form OF Government and re-
specially asked admission into the Union as a
sovereign and free State. The constitution
presented herewith WIS framed with desire to
eject a settlement Of the questions which have
heretofore interposed as objections TO the adj
mission Of the Territory. The constitution was
adopted By the vote Of registered voters Aug. ],
1857; 1875 voting for il and only SOP against
X. There were 16 go votes cast at the election.
50 that 2 ,253 RETAINED from voting on the con-
stitutioH, having been directed odo 50 by THEN
political leaders. who do not favor removal OF
the disabilities under the Territorial system
The acts Of Congress have considerably re-
cUced the voting population OIygamists hay.
ing been DISTINGUISHED, women excluded and
TIE test oath being SO distasteful 10 many that
they ahstained from registration. The people
who have adopted this constitution are law.
sliding citizens. The special provisions framed
IN reference 70 polygamistic practices were
made u good faith. and are practically unre.
pe2labie. If Utah should be admitted thes,
provisions viii be strictly enforced. Almost
the ensIre population Of Utah is DESTROYS Of be
Jug identified as State Of the country. and
they Eave shown their fitness for the response
bilIty Of such q relation, being thrifty, ten
peraber intelligent, industrious and progressive
They are ont Of debt and ready 10 move for
sEaEc IA step with existing States. The Terri
cory has population Of 100000, with wealth
exclusive d mines, Of Sl50O0000O. She is wei
able 10 support State Government, and If SD
were admitted aS ! State her mines and othe
resources would become developed into untolt
wealth. Tor 50 years Utah has been pleadin
Tor Statehood, and the convention now be-
thai Il b. given the Territory.
Senator Call, after reading the memorial
urged thzt The 100000 citizens in Utah had a
much right 20 be heard as any other citizens
and that the oath OF Senatorship compelled hin
70 81 observation Of this solenanly guarantee
right.
Senator EdmEnds replied causticaIlv. thank
ing the Senator from Florida Cor bis gratifyin
and complimentary illusions for he bad stOo
behind this hierarchy every time ii had an
interest % advance or any unwholesome resc
luton 70 resist. De expected he would con
tinue 70 stick by this body Of persons throup
thick and thin, good and i'll and II in the urC
cess Of time the Territory should become
State ard the Constitution could be change
10 that one person might become Senator froT
two States, he bad no doubt that the senatf
from Florida would be tie first Senator s.
iected 5y the Mormon hierarchy, as he ougE
70 be.
Senator Bdmunds said that he was. for III
first tine, advised Of the contents OF this no,
mortal There were great many other paper
and there are great many answers TO them
other papers, which might be read If he cho.
70 eyade the just rules OF the Senate, by spens
Ing the morning reading counter-statemen
which would show the hypocrisy and gamma
Of this performance mere trick 20 pet m
= y.